Mirror Mirror on the Wall: Chapter 5 - On Dean the Heart of the Family

[hearseeno]

The Functions Served

There are clear benefits that both Dean and his family garner from his identification with John. It supports Dean's survival after the loss of his mother. But not only that, it also supports the survival of both individual members and the family's survival.

Comments

[etoile444]

Dean's entire identity is tied to his family. He only has one family member: Sam. No wonder why he reacted as he did in AHBL II. Dean fears abandonment due to all these factors too. You are right to note that he can not always assure the saftey of his family, it is impossible. Death is ineveitable. He was so lost during Scarecrow once Sam took off. And clearly Sam was all he could think about at the time (though he still managed to work the case-since that is also ingrained in him).

This meta was good timing since I am working on a fan fic with Dean as the focus. It's a funny thing, Sam is my favorite, but I prefer to write about Dean.

[hearseeno]

He only has one family member: Sam.

Yeah, and I keep thinking about how having only one person with whom you are close puts such pressure on that relationship. It's really hard for one person to meet all your needs all the time. It's like the pressure never lets up.

I really like Scarecrow. It's one of the few times that Dean is able to let Sam go, he reaches out and admits that he wishes he could stand up for what he wants like Sam does. And that so freed Sam up to think flexibly. Instead of that balls-to-the-walls obsession with getting rid of the YED, he could weigh the pros and cons, only going after the Demon until it became apparent that Dean was in trouble and needed him.

This meta was good timing since I am working on a fan fic with Dean as the focus. It's a funny thing, Sam is my favorite, but I prefer to write about Dean.

*tips hat* At your service, Ma'am. Glad to oblige. ;)

[hearseeno]

btw: Who IS that guy in your icon? I've seen you use it before it never ceases to mildly freak me out. He looks EXACTLY like a guy I kinda, almost, all but dated at one point in my life.

[etoile444]

Are you asking me who my icon is of?????

It's Jensen.

[hearseeno]

Thanks Ms. Lucy Jane. I'll get right on it. *tippity tappity and then Sam is different from Dean in that tappity tappity tip* :D

[hearseeno]

ROFL

*stands on the street corner in scruffy jeans and holey sweatshirt holding up a sign that reads, "Will write long rambling metas for food or reviews."*

[sanj]

This whole series has been really well done - I can't wait to see what you'll do next with Sam.

[hearseeno]

Thanks sanj.

Yeah, I can't wait to see what I'm going to do with Sam, too. o.O *gnaws knuckles*

[redrikki]

After having read through this series of metas you have going I must say that I really like the clear and insightful way you have laid out the Winchester family issues. As someone who rarely interacts with small children, the comments you made about childhood development and the way loss effected Dean's personal growth were especially interesting. I look forward to your Sam meta.

[hearseeno]

Thanks Redrikki. I'm glad you're finding it to be clear. For some reason I really struggled with expressing my thoughts on this one.

[erda_3]

This is so very true. I'm amazed at the way the characters have played out in such a psychologically consistent way. Dean's continual focus on small shunt when they should be focused on the coming larger battle makes so much sense as he tries ever harder to cling to his past coping mechanisms.

This is just fascinating meta.

[hearseeno]

Dean's continual focus on small shunt when they should be focused on the coming larger battle makes so much sense as he tries ever harder to cling to his past coping mechanisms.

Huh!!! Cool. I hadn't thought about that. :D It also gives Dean something manageable to accomplish, where the Apocalypse and facing the possibility that Sam might becoming something unrecognizable may just be a little too big to face.